Make Music Winter, Friday, Dec. 21st

Kalimbascope

Kalimbascope is a “Public Participatory Sound Installation” that has been performed annually in various incarnations as part of Make Music Winter since 2014. All interested participants, regardless of experience, are welcomed and encouraged to join composer and conductor J.C. Kingas he leads a procession of players plucking kalimbas – an evolution of the African mbira, or thumb piano. The instruments are then gently amplified through the “Kalimbascope,” a mobile live-sound system that transforms the emissions of the ancient folk instruments into clouds of sparking harmony and tropical ambiance in an inclusive action of presence, abstraction, meditation and catharsis.

WHEN & WHERE:Meet up to kick off with the procession from the northeast corner of Columbus Circle at 4:32 PM for a sunset departure that will wend its way through Central Park.

HOW TO JOIN:Kalimbas on loan will be distributed to the first two dozen participants to arrive, or bring your own. Participants are welcome to simply show up, but if you know you will be coming ahead of time please send a courtesy email with the subject line “Kalimbascope” to mr.j.c.king@gmail.com so that we know how many paraders to expect. Take the A,B,C,D, 1 or 2 train to 59th Street–Columbus Circle.

ABOUT THE COMPOSER AND CONDUCTOR:Composer J.C. King’s mutations of conceptual songwriting are focused in creating intimate public experiences that foster a shared memory of the magical and absurd. In addition to recent works “Bells/Door” and “Kalimbascope,” and flagship torch song ensemble Hello Lover’s new record, World of Fantasy, Mr. King is currently training, preparing and performing music in new directions.

MORE ABOUT THE PARADE:

Illustration by Kyle Lambert of Callout Creative

Make Music New York

is a live, free musical celebration on June 21, the longest day of the year, with over 1,000 concerts on streets, sidewalks, and parks across the five boroughs.